A passion project fulfilled

By George Howe

CORRESPONDENT

    There was a lot of “bull” flying around on a Saturday night – and all for a good cause at Hot Rod Nellie’s Bar on Feb. 24. The rescue organization Hope’s Legacy and Trust held their largest fundraiser of the year, “Buckin’ for Bucks”.

    Supporters of this event got the chance, for a $5 donation, to hop on the mechanical bull to try their luck on staying in the saddle the longest. Most lasted between seven to 10 seconds, which is pretty good once you get up there.

    “I hadn’t been on one of these for a very long time, so I held on tight and hoped for the best,” said Dilen Hanvy, the first rider. “It was fun and worth it for a good cause. I might be sore tomorrow!”

    Hope’s Legacy and Trust (HLT) was started back in 2016 after founder Holly Hartley had spotted a cat on the side of the road, badly injured from the freezing cold.

    “We named her ‘Hope’ and raised eight thousand dollars to try and save her,” explained Hartley. “Sadly, she didn’t make it. We had three thousand dollars left over and decided to pay it forward to help strays and abandoned animals that needed medical care. We haven’t looked back since.”

    Hartley resides stateside in South Beloit but has worked for the city of Beloit in Wisconsin for the last 26 years. HLT is based out of the Madison Road Vet Clinic in Beloit, where since their inception have helped close to 300 animals, including wildlife, farm animals, domestic dogs and cats, and even one of this nation’s symbols of strength and freedom – the eagle.

    “It was a very special moment when I transported a bald eagle that had been hit by a car,” Hartley said. “We usually never turn down a call about an animal in need.”

    Hartley shared that through her efforts she’s learned what it quite often takes to give these rescues the best chance for survival.

    “About 14 years ago, I got involved with an animal transport shelter about the proper way to handle and move animals,” she said. “We decided to move them up north, bring them back to good health, and find them homes.”

    Hartley is pretty much a one-person operation, but does have a handful of dedicated helpers that step up when she can’t be in two places at once and definitely feels fortunate to have them.

    “It’s been such a blast and so much fun to help out Holly and the animals at the same time,” said volunteer Courtney Birch. “Holly has such a big heart and shows it with all of the work that she does in the communities. I actually helped rescue a goose on Holly’s birthday, so it was meant to be.”

    HLT Communications Director Berta Ingham Eddy said that what separates this rescue organization from others is they take in even the most dire cases. “We take care of the catastrophic cases that the other rescues won’t touch,” she said. “This is a passion project for Holly and I feel honored to be a part of it.”

    With the help of Nellie’s owner Lisa O’Keefe, who always opens her doors for worthy causes, and Scott Beck, owner of Wild Bull LLC that made the rental affordable, the event raised three thousand dollars. Donations of a variety of prizes that completely filled the stage area included gift baskets, pet grooming kits and toys, a golf bag, a cooler that resembled a fishing bobber, and many other fun items that supporters could purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win.

    “It’s heartwarming when people come together to help these innocent souls,” said Eddy.

    “It seems like a small thing when it comes to money,” added Hartley. “Unfortunately, many people would rather euthanize an animal rather than amputate a leg and help them to recover [and] feel better, to give them the best quality of life possible.”

About Hope’s Legacy and Trust

    HLT is part of a rescue network out of Chicago, South Beloit, Beloit, and Minnesota, but someday Hartley would like to have a place of her own.

    “My vision is to have a full-functioning brick and mortar facility that could offer low-cost services for residents,” she said. “Just last week, I received a one thousand dollar donation and by the end of the week after covering the cost of five spay and neuters, I had a hundred and ten dollars left. Things are expensive and I’d like to change that someday.”

    Free will donations help to continue the mission in the stateline area and beyond. Donations are accepted in-person at: Madison Road Veterinary Clinic, 1800 S. Madison Rd., Beloit, WI. 53511. They also accept checks and credit card payments over the phone at 608-362-1952. As well, a CashApp has been set up to take donations at $HopesLegacyandTrust.

    HLT is a 501(c)3 pending.